Snow White

Ash was analyzing everything, every detail, using his chip for self improvement.

He constantly worked to upgrade microchips and optimize apps, trying to convince himself that everything was amazing.

What he didn’t realize was that he was falling apart, tangled in endless thoughts about Layla, overanalyzing every interaction and imagining all the scenarios that could happen.

Even in the year 3002, Ash was still struggling with good old overthinking.

Then came the sudden call. Layla’s face lit up his holo-bracelet, her excitement almost tangible. Without hesitation, Ash answered.

"Hey, Ash, want to try doing something cool right now? I’ve got this amazing idea," she said with a mischievous smile.

Ash didn’t hesitate. "Yes, I’m free. What are we doing?"

Layla’s eyes sparkled. "Come over. I’ll explain everything. It’s going to be epic!"

When Ash arrived at Layla’s sleek apartment, he found her waiting in the kitchen, holding a large white chef’s hat.

“What’s this?” Ash asked, pointing to the hat.

Layla handed it to him with a smile. "You’re wearing this. It’s part of the vibe. Tonight, we’re making Snow White Soufflé. Apples, cinnamon, and a lot of chaos." 

Ash stepped inside kitchen, glancing at the array of futuristic kitchen gadgets. "This looks more like a science lab than a kitchen."

Layla laughed. "Welcome to the 3002 way of cooking! But tonight," she added with a grin, "we’re doing it old school no auto-slicers, no molecular printers."

Ash gave her a skeptical look. "Old school? That sounds dangerous."

"It’ll be fun. Relax, Mr. Overthinker," Layla teased.

Ash put on the hat reluctantly. "Why does it feel like I’m being set up for failure?"

"Because you are," Layla quipped, tying an apron around her waist that read Kiss the Cook. "But don’t worry. I’ll save us when you inevitably mess something up."

Ash rolled his eyes. "You do realize I’ve already analyzed 15 souffle recipes via my chip right away?"

Layla groaned. "And this is why people don’t invite you to cooking parties, Ash."

"I didn’t know cooking parties were a thing," he deadpanned.

"They’re not," she said back laughing. "Okay, Prince Ash, start peeling these apples. And try not to look like you're solving a quantum equation while doing it."

Ash took the apples and started peeling them with perfect precision, much to Layla’s amusement.

"You know," she said, leaning against the counter, "you’re kind of like Snow White."

Ash paused. "How, exactly?"

"Well, your name is Ash, like burnt out snow, ash and snow, opposites but also kind of poetic."

"That’s a stretch," he muttered, slicing the apple into mathematically perfect segments.

"No, hear me out! You’re all serious and analytical, like a prince stuck in a tower. But every now and then, you surprise people with something... warm. Unexpected."

Ash raised an eyebrow. "Warm and unexpected? Like what?"

"Like agreeing to come here without knowing what kind of chaos I had planned," she said with a wink.

Ash shook his head, but he couldn’t hide the smile tugging at his lips. "And you’re what, the evil queen?"

Layla gasped dramatically. "EXCUSE YOU!!! I’m obviously Snow White in this scenario."

"You? Snow White?"

"Yeah, I’ve got the charm, the style, and seven metaphorical dwarves if you count my group chats."

Ash chuckled, finally breaking his usual stoicism. "Okay, Snow White, let’s see if your soufflé lives up to the hype."

As they worked, the kitchen quickly descended into chaos. Layla accidentally spilled cinnamon all over the counter, and Ash’s perfect apple slices got knocked to the floor when Layla tried to twirl dramatically while narrating her tragic baking journey.

"You’re impossible," Ash muttered, picking up the slices.

"And you’re boring!" Layla shot back, throwing a pinch of flour at him.

"You realize you’re acting like a child, right?"

Layla smiled. "Maybe. But this child is about to make the best soufflé you’ve ever tasted."

As the soufflé baked, they leaned against the counter, finally catching their breath.

"So," Layla said, breaking the silence. "How are you doing? Like... really?"

Ash glanced at her, caught off guard by the sudden shift in tone. "I’m fine. Why?"

"You just seem... distracted lately," Layla said, fiddling with her apron. "Not that you aren’t always distracted by a million things, but I don’t know. It feels different."

Ash hesitated. "I guess I’ve been... overthinking things."

Layla raised an eyebrow. "Overthinking? You? No way."

He smiled. "Yeah, hard to believe."

Layla laughed, and the tension eased. "Well, for what it’s worth, I think you’re doing great. Even if you’re basically Snow White with a chip addiction."

"And you’re Snow White with a flair for disasters," he countered.

Layla was about to respond when the timer dinged.

"The soufflé!" she exclaimed, rushing to the oven.

They carefully pulled out the dessert, its golden top puffed up perfectly. Layla squealed in delight.

"We did it!" she said, grabbing two spoons. "You’re officially promoted from assistant chef to prince.”

As they sat down to taste their creation, Ash leaned closer, his heart racing.

Before he could second guess himself, he leaned over even closer and kissed her quick, soft, and unexpected.

Layla blinked, her cheeks flushed. “Ash...”

He pulled back, suddenly unsure. “Sorry, I...”

She smiled, cutting him off. “Don’t be.”

Layla took a bite of the soufflé, smiling at him. "You know, Snow White didn’t need a prince to wake her up, but this is a solid start."

Ash laughed. "Yeah, well, I’m full of surprises."

Layla looked at him with a spark in her eye. "Let’s hope you’ve got more, Prince Ash. I’m not done with you yet."

Meanwhile, across the neon lit cities, in his apartment, Mark stood at the counter, a holographic recipe guide floating beside him, while a small robotic arm chopped vegetables. As he stirred the pot, he couldn’t help but think how nice it would be to share moments like this with someone who could appreciate the art he created, both in the kitchen and in life. He sighed, wondering if he would ever find that person.

Just as the thought lingered, his wristband buzzed. A message notification popped up. It was from Layla.

Without a second thought, he opened it.

The message was simple: "Hey, Mark, we need to talk soon. Something happened".

Mark’s heart skipped a beat. He froze, staring at the message, unsure what to make of it.